This history of the Antiquities
Act of 1906 has been prepared to help fill a gap in knowledge of
one of the foundation stones of the National Park System. Like a number
of other current studies of National
Park Service history, its preparation was stimulated in part by
the approach of the centennial of Yellowstone
National Park in 1972. It is hoped this study will also throw light
on early participation by the Government of the United States in some
aspects of historic preservation in America.

I am much indebted to a number of Service colleagues
for generously reading the manuscript and offering helpful comments
including Roy E. Appleman, Chief, Branch of Park History Studies; John
M. Corbett, Chief, Division of Archeology and members of his staff;
John L. Cotter, Regional Archeologist; Herbert E. Kahler, Former Chief
Historian; and Jackson E. Price, former Chief Counsel and Assistant
Director. I have benefitted much from suggestions offered by Frederick
Johnson of the Robert S. Peabody Foundation for Archaeology, Andover,
Massachusetts and J. O. Brew, Harvard University. Dr. Ernest Allen Connally
supported this effort from the beginning. I am especially obliged to
Robert M. Utley, Chief Historian for valuable counsel and careful and
knowledgeable editing of the text. Miss Sharon Jordan, my secretary,
typed the manuscript quickly and accurately.

This study is a first in a series devoted to the evolution
of Federal participation in historic preservation in the United States
designed for use within the Service. The next will trace the origin
and development of the system of national
military parks and battlefields. These studies are a direct result
of the interest and encouragement of Director George B. Hartzog, Jr.